Job Discussion Forums

haleynicole14 · Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 178 Location: US

Can anyone recommend an affordable CELTA course location? Are they all the exact same, just in different locations, or are they of varying quality? I have a TESL certificate and am thinking CELTA might be a good next step. I've done a search for programs but there are so many choices. Links or program names would be helpful if you have them. Thank you!

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

If you have a TEFL cert from an onsite course of at least 100 hours that included supervised teaching practice with real students, you probably don't need a CELTA. In this case, you would just need to highlight the key bits (onsite, 100+, tp) on your CV so that employers know you have an equivalent.

If your TEFL cert was a very short course or online, then I agree a CELTA is a logical next step.

It does not matter where you take a CELTA. They aren't all exactly the same, of course, but they are all within the standard range.

Because no-one takes the course more than once, any one of us could rave about, say, CELTA in Prague in 2010 - but, by now, the trainers are unlikely to be the same exact group and things may have changed in other ways as well.

If you are going for the name brand CELTA, then any centre that suits you in terms of location and price will be suitable. A lot depends on your travel distances, obviously. If you're based in the UK, any CELTA in continental Europe will work out cheaper than any one in Latin America, for example.

One idea is to take the course in the country where you want to start teaching. There are lots of potential advantages. A good training centre is a useful bridge into country/culture. They usually arrange for logistics like airport pickup and local orientation. Your fellow trainees can form your first social network, and your practice teaching students will be really representative of those you'll be working with when you start.

This is most applicable if you are going someplace where employers don't hire from abroad and you are on your own when you arrive otherwise.

haleynicole14 · Joined: 20 Feb 2012 Posts: 178 Location: US

spiral78 · Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 11534 Location: On a Short Leash

HK_GURU · Joined: 17 Nov 2011 Posts: 26

OP as Spiral 78 has tried to politely point out you think you have a qualification but you really don't. It may as well have come out of a cereal box. As far as certificates go the CELTA is the one that is widely recognised and which is in large part due to the fact that it involves supervised practicum.

If you are looking for cheap places ECC (I think) in Thailand is reasonable and you could also consider Vietnam. Although such locations would only be cost effective if you are still in Asia.

Also keep in mind that a CELTA is really only an entry level qualification. To move up into the better positions a higher degree is close to essential in most cases. Good luck.

Tudor · Joined: 21 Aug 2009 Posts: 339

Teacher in Rome · Joined: 09 Jul 2003 Posts: 1286

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

I'm not sure what future location the OP is interested in but just to let her know, CELTA is also recognized here in North America (although a degree + CELTA alone is generally not competitive).

An online TEFL from a Chinese recruiter would get a resume tossed in the trash here.